Davide to Take Part in ‘Oplan Tokhang’ Operation

Gov. Hilario P. Davide III told reporters on Monday that he will join operatives of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) in conducting ‘Tokhang’ operations in Cordova town next week.

After meeting with CCPO Director Senior Supt. Eric Noble, Davide confirmed that he will personally take part in the operation initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte to rid off illegal drug peddlers and users in the community.

However, Davide said the schedule is yet to be revealed pending coordination procedures with the CPPO.

Noble said he was honored and grateful by the hands-on involvement of the governor in the campaign against illegal drugs.

“Sabi ko sa kanya, gob ma experience mo ang naramdaman nang isang ordinaryong polis na nagtotoktok,” Noble said, referring to the operation that literally involves knocking the house doors of each suspected drug personalities.

CPPO officials came to Capitol yesterday to brief the governor and members of the legislative branch over the peace and order situation of the province and the accomplishments of the anti-illegal drug operations.

“Since pagdating ko dito, multi-million na ang ibinigay ni gob. We cannot ask for more. We came here to show to them na yong perang ibinigay nila ay hindi nasayang,” Noble said in a later interview.

CCPO data showed more than 300,000 households were already visited by policemen as results of operation Tokhang. It also recorded at least 50,000 surrenders from the month of July 2015 to January 2016.

In the closed door meeting, Davide said he told the police of his expectations and instructed them to remain tough against illegal drugs.

“Nakita nato na most of these index crimes are drug-related. Kinahanglan atong pangusgan pa ang kampanya batok sa druga,” he said.

According to Philippine Statistics Authority, index crimes include murder, homicide, robbery, theft, rape and physical injury to name a few.

RPOC Chairman

In another development, Davide said he has yet to receive his formal appointment papers as chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in region 7.

Last Wednesday, Davide met with President Rodrigo Duterte at the Mactan Airbase where they discussed his appointment in the regional council.

“I’m surprised with the appointment,” said Davide, who ran under a different party during the 2016 election.

“We talked about a lot of things. The president also shared his experiences as mayor of Davao and asked us again to help him in his campaign against illegal drugs,” he disclosed.

Once his appointment becomes official, Davide said he will immediately convene the RPOC to discuss how they can further help the administration in eradicating the illegal drug trade in the Region.

Other governors who were appointed in the peace council included Edgar Chatto of Bohol province and Zaldy Villa of Siguijor. (Kelvin Canizares)

SOURCE: www.cebu.gov.ph